Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review — My Full Experience After 2 Weeks of Testing Across Europe (2025)
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Quick verdict: The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a camera-focused flagship that delivers exceptional zoom and main-sensor performance, excellent display, and fast charging — but it’s bulky and still has software polish issues. After two weeks of heavy travel testing across cities like Rome, Paris, Berlin and Budapest, it scored high for versatility but lost points for size and occasional low-light inconsistency.
Key highlights
- Outstanding zoom and a 1-inch main sensor that produces DSLR-like detail in daylight.
- Bright, adaptive LTPO AMOLED display (1–120Hz) — perfect for outdoor shooting and video.
- Fast charging (90W wired, 80W wireless) and flagship performance from Snapdragon 8 Elite.
- Bulky design and inconsistent ultra-wide/low-light results in some scenes.
Full specs (at a glance)
- Display: 6.73″ LTPO AMOLED, 1–120Hz, WQHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM / Storage: Up to 16GB / 1TB
- Cameras: 50MP 1″ main, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto, 200MP periscope
- Battery: 5410 mAh — 90W wired / 80W wireless charging
- Software: HyperOS 2 (Android 15)
- Protection: IP68
My hands-on testing across Europe — What I did
Two weeks of real-world travel testing included daylight architecture photography, long-distance zoom shots of monuments, street photography in low light, indoor museum shots, maps/navigation during walking tours, and everyday social usage. I shot sample galleries, video clips (4K/60 & 8K), and tested battery behavior during heavy camera days.
Camera deep-dive
Main sensor (50MP, 1-inch)
The 1″ sensor is the star for daylight and portraits. You get excellent detail, natural color tones, and strong dynamic range. When shooting in Rome’s daylight and narrow Parisian streets, the results were sharp and usable for large prints or social sharing.
Zoom & telephoto
The 200MP periscope is where Xiaomi shines. From 5x to 30x the images are surprisingly usable — making it ideal for distant architecture and candid street shots. Even extreme crops look better than many competitors.
Low-light & ultra-wide
Low-light performance is strong for a phone, but not flawless. At times the phone slightly over-brightens or softens shadows to produce cleaner noise-less shots. The ultra-wide lens lags behind the main sensor in dim interiors.
Video
4K60 is the sweet spot. 8K is available but produces large files — stabilization and color are excellent while walking, and vlogging or travel clips look polished straight out of the phone.
Battery & charging
On a heavy travel day (maps, camera, social apps): expect about 6–7 hours screen-on time. That’s a full day for most users, but heavy camera/video usage will need an evening charge. The fast wired charging (90W) is a life-saver while traveling — quick 30-minute top-ups keep you running.
Performance & software
Snapdragon 8 Elite with large RAM and fast storage makes the device blisteringly fast for games, multitasking and photo editing. HyperOS 2 is responsive, though I spotted occasional polish issues and small bugs — updates should smooth these over.
Design & ergonomics
Premium materials and a solid build feel great in hand, but the phone is heavy and has a large camera island. If you carry a pocket-sized phone habitually, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will feel bulky after long use.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional main sensor and telephoto zoom
- Bright, high-quality display
- Fast charging, flagship performance
- IP68 and premium build
Cons
- Bulky & heavy for one-handed use
- Inconsistent low-light/ultra-wide performance
- Minor HyperOS polish & software bugs
Who should buy the Xiaomi 15 Ultra?
Buy it if you prioritize camera versatility and zoom, enjoy large high-quality displays, and want flagship performance. Skip it if you prefer compact phones or demand absolute software polish and consistent low-light ultra-wide shots.
Verdict
Rating: 9/10 — The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a top-tier camera phone in 2025. It’s not perfect, but for many travellers and photography lovers, it’s one of the most powerful single-device tools you can carry.
FAQ
Is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra good for photography? Yes — its main sensor and periscope zoom make it one of the best camera phones of 2025 for daylight and zoomed shots. Does the Xiaomi 15 Ultra overheat? It gets warm during extended 8K recording or gaming sessions, but normal daily use is fine. How long does the battery last? Expect a full day for average use; heavy camera/video days may require an evening charge. Fast charging helps significantly. Is the phone worth buying in 2025? If camera performance is your priority and you accept a larger phone, yes — it’s worth considering.
Author: SastaReview • Last updated: November 28, 2025. If you found this review helpful, share it on social and bookmark for future firmware updates and camera tests.
Quick Specs
- Display: 6.73″ LTPO AMOLED
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Cameras: 50MP 1″ + 3x 50MP + 200MP periscope
- Battery: 5410 mAh — 90W/80W
- OS: HyperOS 2 (Android 15)
Buyer’s checklist
- Do you want the best zoom? ✅
- Are you okay with a bulky phone? ✅ / ❌
- Need fast charging for travel? ✅